A Spiritual Island?

And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.(James 5:15)
Prayer changes things . . . prayers that are offered by faith in the One who can change things.

The writer of Hebrews would put it this way:because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

Prayer is communication with the God who created it all. He is the One who was in the beginning and will be there in the end. He has been there and done that and everything in between!If there is no faith in the God of the Bible and His Word, there is no effective communication.

James is not saying that only the elders can pray for those in need either. He is saying that when we are troubled, we can go to God. When we are really in trouble, go to those who can help us discover the cause. Many times we are out of touch with the Lord. We may be so knee deep in trouble (illness, anxiety, financial strains) that we cannot see the forest for the trees, much less the God who made it all! Everyone needs wise counsel at times. Many burdens are made to share!

James goes on to instruct us to "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." (James 5:16) Troubles don't last always and as believers, we are not alone. We have our father in heaven and our family in Christ. Prayer changes things and many times, people can help as well! Do not be a spiritual island!